[diogenes ghost]

"...spent 7 figures to do the exact same thing."

Asking two vehicles to perform a task that only one is properly configured to do will cause that. Change the task and the results may well be the exact opposite.

For instance the Indy car won't match the top fuel dragster in a 1/4 mile, but it will take a buttload of money for the dragster to be competitive on a road course.

So, depending on the task required, your statement may, or may not, be relevant.

[frithguild]

Asking two vehicles to perform a task that only one is properly configured to do will cause that.

Or if one of the vehicles is a prototype of a vehicle that has never been manufactured.

[tanknetter]

Asking two vehicles to perform a task that only one is properly configured to do will cause that. Change the task and the results may well be the exact opposite.

The difference in cost is due to the Super Tucano being almost a pure-COTS system; it's already in production in the configuration (or at least really near the configuration) being asked for.

This is the first time the Texan II has been developed beyond the trainer role. So while the different components could be seen as COSTS, they still had to integrate weapons and sensor capability with the airframe.